1LI
Association

It is the intention of our association to have a
dedicated battalion history page given that there are already so
many good history pages on the internet for the regiment as a
whole. At present we are seeking someone to take on this challenge
and we will review the situation in due course if no one comes
forward and we may possibly look for a number of people to make
smaller contributions which will then be brought together on
here.

The
Light Infantry was formed on 10 July 1968 from the four regular
Light Infantry Battalions of The Somerset and Cornwall Light
Infantry, The Kings Own Yorkshire Light infantry, The King’s
Shropshire Light infantry and The Durham Light Infantry and The
Light Infantry Volunteers. The Light Infantry Depot at Shrewsbury
became The Light Infantry Depot and the Regiment was grouped with
The Royal Green Jackets in The Light Division. The Light Infantry
structured itself on Vesting Day in a manner that embodied equally
all the traditions and customs of the former regiments in all
battalions.

The
silver Bugle cap badge, drill from the ‘at ease’ position, rapid
marching pace and green beret bear testimony to the Regiments
ancestry. Key distinctions of dress wear also carried forward- Red
Backing for the cap badge from the DCLI, sashes tied to the right
from the SCLI, The Inkerman chain from the DLI and white roses on
Minden Day from the KOYLI. The Regiment also had the distinction of
being excused from drinking a Loyal Toast – a privilege inherited
from both the KSLI and the DLI.

The
primary Regimental Day was 22 July, the anniversary of the Battle
of Salamanca, a battle in which all the former regiments fought.
The Light Infantry was intensely proud to have as its first Colonel
in Chief Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother who was
succeeded on her death by Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra who
had taken on the mantle of Deputy Colonel-in-Chief from
Vesting Day.

Vesting
Day was the culmination of a series of events that had started in
1934 when The Light Infantry Club was formed as a vehicle to
develop a close association between all Light infantry Officers.
This was followed in 1951 with the formation of The Light Infantry
Brigade. In 1957 the defence White Paper started the process that
would significantly reduce Britain’s large conventional forces and
end conscription. The outcome for The Light Infantry Brigade on 6
October 1959 was the reduction by one battalion. This was achieved
by the amalgamation of The Somerset Light Infantry (Prince
Albert’s) and The Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, to form The
Somerset and Cornwall Light Infantry. The Light Infantry Brigade
was reduced by a further battalion on 7 November 1968 when The
Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry joined The Green
Jacket Brigade. In 1966 The Territorial Army was disbanded and
reformed the following day as The Territorial Army and Volunteer
Reserve. In July 1967 The Light Infantry Volunteers was formed . By
1967 it had become that national economic difficulties would
require a further reduction in the Infantry. The Army Board settled
on forming Divisions of Infantry. The Light Infantry Brigade would
be grouped with The Green Jacket Brigade in The Light Division and
in doing so the Light Brigade would be required to reduce by one
battalion. The Council Of Light Infantry Colonels accepted
reluctantly that if required to reduce the mechanism would be to
from a large regiment first and then reduce by one
battalion.

The
early years of the Light Infantry, 1968-1978, saw a constant
draw on all battalions to deploy at short notice on emergency tours
of Northern Ireland. 3 LI was the first battalion deployed shortly
followed onto the streets by both 1LI and 2 LI. Elements of all
three battalions were involved in The Battle of the Shankill in
Belfast in October 1969. Other operational commitments over the
period saw 3 LI in Mauritius, 2 LI in the Far East and multiple
deployments on UN duties as part of UNFICYP in Cyprus. Residential
tours also saw the battalions as part of the British Army of the
Rhine training in Kenya, Canada and the United States.

The
period of 1979-1989 was known as the Years of Consolidation.
Continued Northern Ireland commitment placed a heavy burden on the
Light Infantry over the period and dominated operational
deployments. That said deployments to UNFICYP continued
complemented by further training in Jamaica, Canada, the United
States and Kenya. Other overseas deployments included Hong Kong and
the Falkland Islands. Domestic commitments included supporting the
Fire Service, the Prison service and deploying to Greenham
Common.

1990-2007
was the period started by Options for Change that culminated with
formation of The Rifles in 2007. This saw the Regiment reduce by
one further battalion on 25 February 1993 achieved by amalgamating
all three battalions to reform as two. The period saw the
continuing provision of support in Northern Ireland. The regiment
also deployed to the Balkans – Bosnia and Kosovo - Sierra Leone,
Iraq and Afghanistan. This was alongside continued overseas
residential tours in Germany and Cyprus( including Falkland Island
garrison commitments) and training worldwide in Kenya, Belize, West
Indies, Canada and The United States. The Light infantry joined
with The Royal Green Jackets, the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment
and The Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment to
form The Rifles on 1st Feb 2007.

Throughout
its existence The Light Infantry served the Nation with distinction
across the world in a wide variety of operational deployments. In
doing so it established a reputation that was second to none in the
British Army .

The Colours of 1st Battalion, The Light
Infantry

The 1LI Colours were laid up in Bodmin and can now be seen framed
at the top of the first set of steps as you enter through the front
entrance of Shire Hall.